Cooling collar stand and garment with same

ABSTRACT

A collar stand comprises an inner piece and an outer piece, wherein at least one of the inner piece and/or the outer piece is formed from a self-fabric impregnated with a glue. The collar stand may be attached to a garment such as a shirt. The glue may include jade and/or jade fibers.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application No. 63/203,702, filed Jul. 28, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

This patent document contains material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of this patent document or any related materials in the files of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to garments and garment manufacture. More particularly, this invention relates to garments and garment collars.

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW

U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,756,879, 9,872,522, and 10,375,999 describe expandable and flexible garment collar stands and garments with the same. U.S. Pat. No. 9,756,879 describes, among other things, a collar stand formed from a self-fabric, where the collar stand comprises an inner piece and an outer piece, each formed from the self-fabric fused with a two-way fusible substrate. U.S. Pat. No. 9,872,522 describes, among other things, a collar stand comprising an inner piece and an outer piece, wherein at least one of the inner piece and the outer piece is formed from a self-fabric fused with a fusible substrate. U.S. Pat. No. 10,375,999 describes, among other things, a collar stand having stretch and recovery in at least two non-laterally-opposing directions thereof, wherein said collar stand comprises an inner piece and an outer piece, and wherein the inner piece and the outer piece are each formed from a self-fabric fused with a two-way fusible substrate. U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,756,879, 9,872,522, and 10,375,999 are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

It is desirable to provide a garment collar stand that provides cooling to the wearer.

It is desirable and an object hereof to reduce the cost of existing collar stands and garments.

It is further desirable to provide a garment with such a collar stand.

SUMMARY

The present invention is specified in the claims and the description below. Preferred embodiments are particularly specified in the dependent claims and the description of various embodiments.

One general aspect includes a collar stand. The collar also includes an inner piece and an outer piece, where at least one of the inner piece and/or the outer piece is formed from a self-fabric impregnated with a glue.

Implementations and/or embodiments may include one or more of the following features, alone and/or in combinations:

-   -   The collar stand where the self-fabric has stretch properties.     -   At least one of the inner piece and/or the outer piece is formed         from a cooling fabric.     -   The cooling fabric contains jade and/or jade fibers.     -   Wherein the cooling fabric comprises cooling polymers.     -   The self-fabric has mechanical stretch properties.     -   The self-fabric is cut on a bias thereof     -   The self-fabric is selected from a shirting fabric, cotton,         poly-cotton, and linen.     -   The self-fabric is a cooling fabric.     -   The inner and outer pieces are impregnated with glue to         different degrees.     -   The glue contains jade and/or jade fibers.     -   The inner and outer pieces are formed from the self-fabric         impregnated with the glue.     -   The inner and outer pieces are part of a single piece of folded         fabric.     -   The inner piece and the outer piece are two distinct pieces of         fabric.

Another general aspect includes a garment with a collar stand, as described in the first general aspect. The garment may be, e.g., a shirt or a dress

Below is a list of collar stand and garment embodiments. Those will be indicated with the letters “C” and “G,” respectively. Whenever such embodiments are referred to, this will be done by referring to “C” or “G” embodiments.

-   -   C1. A collar stand comprising an inner piece and an outer piece,         wherein at least one of the inner piece and/or the outer piece         is formed from a self-fabric impregnated with a glue.     -   C2. The collar stand of any of the other collar stand         embodiments, wherein the self-fabric has stretch properties.     -   C3. The collar stand of any of the other collar stand         embodiments, wherein the self-fabric has mechanical stretch         properties.     -   C4. The collar stand of any of the other collar stand         embodiments, wherein the self-fabric is cut on a bias thereof     -   C5. The collar stand of any of the other collar stand         embodiments, wherein the self-fabric is selected from a shirting         fabric, cotton, poly-cotton, and linen.     -   C6. The collar stand of any of the other collar stand         embodiments, wherein at least one of the inner piece and/or the         outer piece is formed from a cooling fabric.     -   C7. The collar stand of embodiment(s) C6, wherein the cooling         fabric contains jade and/or jade fibers.     -   C7-1. The collar stand of embodiment(s) C6 or C7, wherein the         cooling fabric comprises cooling polymers.     -   C8. The collar stand of any of the other collar stand         embodiments, wherein both the inner piece and the outer piece         are formed from the self-fabric impregnated with the glue.     -   C9. The collar stand of any of the other collar stand         embodiments, wherein the inner piece and the outer piece are         part of a single piece of folded fabric.     -   C10. The collar stand of any of the other collar stand         embodiments, wherein the inner and outer pieces are two distinct         pieces of fabric.     -   C11. The collar stand of embodiment(s) C6, wherein the inner         piece and the outer piece are impregnated with glue to different         degrees.     -   C12. The collar stand of any of the other collar stand         embodiments wherein the glue contains jade and/or jade fibers.     -   C13. The collar stand of any other collar stand embodiments         wherein one of the inner piece and the outer piece is formed         from the self-fabric impregnated with the glue, wherein the         other of the inner piece and the outer piece is formed from a         fabric fused with a fusible substrate.     -   C14. The collar stand of any of the other collar stand         embodiments wherein the self-fabric is a cooling fabric.     -   C15. The collar stand of any of the other collar stand         embodiments wherein the self-fabric is a cooling fabric.     -   G16. A garment comprising a collar stand according to any of the         collar stand embodiments C1-C15.     -   G17. The garment of embodiment(s) G16, wherein the garment is         selected from a shirt and a dress.

Below is a list of method or process embodiments. Those will be indicated with a letter “P.” Whenever such embodiments are referred to, this will be done by referring to “P” embodiments.

-   -   P18. A method of making a collar stand according to any of the         other collar stand embodiments C1-C15.     -   P19. A method of making a garment having a collar stand         according to any of the other collar stand embodiments C1-C15.

The above features and additional details of the invention are described further in the examples herein, which are intended to illustrate the invention further but are not intended to limit its scope in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts aspects of a garment collar according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of aspects of the garment collar of FIG. 1 ; and

FIGS. 3A-3E, 4A-4D, 5A-5G, and 6A-6E depict aspects of collar stands according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the garment collar attached to a garment using a collar stand according to exemplary embodiments hereof; and

FIG. 8 depicts aspects of a garment collar attached to a garment using a collar stand according to exemplary embodiments hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a shirt 10 incorporating a collar according to exemplary embodiments hereof. A collar stand 12 may be attached to the body of the shirt body 14, e.g., by being sewn along the line X-X′. The collar stand 12 may have a button 16 on one end thereof and a buttonhole 18 on the other end, which typically defines the shirt's neck size. A collar 20 may be attached to the collar stand 12, e.g., by inserting a substantially rigid portion of the collar 20 into the collar stand 12 and sewing along the line Y-Y′. FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of aspects of the garment collar of FIG. 1 .

For the purposes of this description, the length of the collar stand 12 is the horizontal dimension in the drawings, and the width of the collar stand is the vertical dimension. A collar stand need not have the same width across its length (i.e., it may be wider at some points than others). Similarly, a collar stand need not have the same length across its width (i.e., it may be longer at some points than others). For example, with reference to FIG. 1 , the length Y-Y′ need not be the same as the length X-X.′ As is generally understood, the length of the collar stand 12 is the longer dimension, its width being the shorter dimension.

FIG. 3A shows a top view of a collar stand 12 according to exemplary embodiments hereof. The collar stand 12 may be formed from a single piece of fabric/material 30 that is substantially symmetric around a line A-A′, providing a top part (or top piece) 22 and a bottom part (or bottom piece) 24. When folded over the line A-A′, the top part 22 and bottom part 24 are substantially matching in shape and size.

The top part 22 may also be referred to as an inner piece, and the bottom part 24 may also be referred to as an outer piece. The inner piece is positioned to be on the inside of the shirt 10 when worn, while the outer piece is positioned to be on the outside of the shirt 10 when worn. The inner and outer pieces are overlaid, as described below, to form the collar stand 12. The collar stand 12 preferably curves around the neck when attached to a shirt and worn.

The collar stand 12 may be formed, as described here with reference to FIGS. 3B-3E. A glue strip 26, e.g., in the form of a gel, may be positioned over the top piece 22. The glue strip 26 may be attached (e.g., by spot welding with a glue gun) at one or more locations (e.g., P, Q, R, S in FIG. 3B) to hold the glue strip 26 in place. Then the bottom part 24 may be folded over the glue strip 26 (as shown in the cross-sectional side views in FIGS. 3C-3D). FIG. 3C shows a cross-sectional side view of the fabric/material 30 with the glue strip 26 thereon, e.g., in the direction A′-A and at the line B-B′ in FIG. 3B. The line C-C′ in FIG. 3C vertically intersects A-A′. The folded pieces 22 and 24, with the glue strip 26 between them, may then be heat pressed to form the collar stand 12 (as shown in the cross-sectional side view in FIG. 3E). Heated pressing causes the glue strip 26 to melt and permeate or impregnate the pieces 22 and 24.

The collar stand 12 with the glue-impregnated piece(s) may be attached to the shirt (and, optionally, to a collar), as described below.

Instead of a single piece of fabric/material 30 (as described above), the top and bottom parts 22 and 24 may be or comprise two separate pieces of fabric/material 40 and 42, e.g., as shown in FIG. 4A. The two pieces of fabric/material 40 and 42 preferably substantially match in shape and size. In these cases, the collar stand may be formed by positioning a glue strip 44 on one of the pieces, e.g., the piece 40 (FIG. 4B). The glue strip 44 may be spot glued/welded to the piece 40 (to hold it in place for subsequent processing). The other piece of fabric/material 42 may then be positioned on the glue strip 44 (as shown in FIG. 4C), and the combination may be heat pressed to form two glue-impregnated pieces 48 and 50 (FIG. 4D), which form a collar stand 12′/52 (FIG. 4D). The heated pressing causes the glue strip 44 to permeate/impregnate the two pieces of fabric/material 40 and 42 with glue to form the glue-impregnated pieces 48 and 50.

The resulting collar stand 12′/52 may be stitched in one or more locations to keep the glue-impregnated pieces of material 48 and 50 together.

In other examples, when two separate pieces of fabric/material 40 and 42 are used, e.g., as shown in FIG. 5A, the collar stand may be formed by positioning separate glue strips 44 and 46 on each of the pieces 40 and 42 (FIGS. 5B-5D). The glue strips 44 and 46 may be spot glued/welded to the pieces 40 and 42 (to hold them in place for subsequent processing) and then heat pressed to form two glue-impregnated pieces 48 and 50 (FIGS. 5E-5F), which may then be combined (overlaid) to form a collar stand 12″/54 (FIG. G5 ). The resulting collar stand 12″/54 may be stitched in one or more locations to keep the pieces of material 48 and 50 together.

The two pieces of material, 40 and 42, and the resulting glue-impregnated pieces 48 and 50 are preferably substantially the same shape and size.

When two pieces of material, 40 and 42, are used, properties of the two pieces may differ. For example, the two pieces may be of different thicknesses or colors. Additionally, when two pieces of material 40 and 42 are used, different amounts or types of glue strips may be used. Thus, in the examples shown in FIGS. 5B-5G, the glue strips 44 and 46 may be the same or different types and/or amounts or thicknesses.

In some cases, e.g., as shown in FIG. 6A, a glue strip 44 may only be applied to one of the two pieces of material 40 and 42. In those cases, the piece of material 40 with the glue strip 44 may be heat pressed to form a glue-impregnated piece 48, which may then be combined (overlaid) with the piece of material 42 (having no glue strip applied thereto). The resulting collar stand 12′″/56 may be stitched in one or more locations to keep the pieces 48 and 42 together.

The material/fabric used for the fabric/material 30 (FIG. 3A) or the two separate pieces of fabric/material 40 and 42 (e.g., FIGS. 4A, 5A, 6A) may be or comprise a fabric having stretch, e.g., mechanical stretch, or bias cut, or Spandex.

The material/fabric used for the fabric/material 30 (FIG. 3A) or either (or both) pieces of fabric/material 40 and 42 (e.g., FIGS. 4A, 5A, 6A) may be or comprise a cooling fabric, such as, e.g., a fabric containing jade and/or jade fibers (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,378,127, the entire contents of which is fully incorporated herein by reference). The jade may be in the form of fibers and/or a powder or some other form. The cooling fabric may be, e.g., a polyester fabric such as COOLMAX brand fabrics. Cooling may be achieved by the fibers used in the fabric and/or by the fabric's weave and/or structure, and/or pattern. The fibers used in the cooling fabric may comprise cooling polymers. Exemplary cooling fabrics are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 9,062,913, the entire contents of which are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

The fabric/material 30, 40, and 42 may, but need not be, the same fabric as the shirt.

The glue strip may comprise a coolant such as jade, e.g., as fibers or in chemical form such as a powder.

When the collar stand includes a cooling fabric and/or a glue comprising a coolant, the cooling fabric and/or glue with coolant is preferably used at least on the piece of the collar stand that will be in contact with the wearer's skin.

As shown, e.g., in FIGS. 3B, 3C, 5B-5D, and 6A-6B, the glue strip may be positioned on the underlying fabric before being hot-pressed. Although shown in the drawings with gaps on the sides, those of skill in the art will understand, upon reading this description, that the glue strip should be sufficiently wide such that, when heated and pressed, it will substantially permeate/infuse/impregnate the underlying fabric. To achieve this result, it may be necessary for the glue strip to be as wide as the underlying fabric.

Thus, e.g., with reference to FIGS. 3B-3E, the glue strip 26 should be sufficiently wide (and long) so that when melted by a heat press, the glue from the glue strip permeates/infuses/impregnates substantially all of the fabric of pieces 22 and 24. Similarly, with reference to FIGS. 5A-5G, the glue strips 44, and 46 should each be sufficiently wide and long such that, when melted by a heat press, the glue permeates/infuses/impregnates substantially all of the fabric 40 and 42 to produce the infused fabric pieces 48 and 50. And similarly, with reference to FIGS. 6A-6B, the glue strip 44 should each be sufficiently wide and long such that, when melted by a heat press, the glue permeates/infuses/impregnates substantially all of the fabric 40 to produce the infused fabric 48.

In some cases, different amounts of glue (e.g., less glue) may be used to achieve different degrees of infusion.

The glue strip preferably has no underlying fabric or substrate so that when the glue is melted, there is no remaining structure, fabric, or substrate.

When two separate pieces of fabric/material 40 and 42, are used, the two pieces may be the same or distinct materials.

When two separate glue strips are used (e.g., FIGS. 5A-5G), different amounts of glue and different degrees of infusion may be used on each of the corresponding pieces of fabric.

As noted above, U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,756,879, 9,872,522, and 10,375,999 describe expandable and flexible garment collar stands and garments with the same. U.S. Pat. No. 9,756,879 describes, among other things, a collar stand formed from a self-fabric, where the collar stand comprises an inner piece and an outer piece, each formed from the self-fabric fused with a two-way fusible substrate. U.S. Pat. No. 9,872,522 describes, among other things, a collar stand comprising an inner piece and an outer piece, wherein at least one of the inner piece and the outer piece is formed from a self-fabric fused with a fusible substrate. U.S. Pat. No. 10,375,999 describes, among other things, a collar stand having stretch and recovery in at least two non-laterally-opposing directions thereof, wherein said collar stand comprises an inner piece and an outer piece, and wherein the inner piece and the outer piece are each formed from a self-fabric fused with a two-way fusible substrate.

Embodiments hereof may use a collar stand where one side (e.g., the inner piece) is formed as described above, from a fabric infused or impregnated with a gel, and the other side (e.g., the outer piece) is formed as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,756,879, 9,872,522, and 10,375,999, from a self-fabric fused with a fusible substrate. The fabric used with the gel may but need not be the same as the self-fabric used for the other piece. The gel and/or the fabric used with the gel may be or comprise a cooling fabric, and it may contain jade and/or jade fibers.

Attaching the Collar Stand to the Garment

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the garment collar 20 attached to a shirt body 14 using the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″), according to exemplary embodiments hereof.

As noted above, the bottom of the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″) may be attached to the shirt body 14, e.g., along the line X-X′ (FIGS. 1-2 ). If a collar 20 is used, the top of the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″) may be attached to the collar 20, e.g., by being sewn along the line Y-Y′ (FIGS. 1-2 ).

With reference to FIG. 7 , to connect the collar 20 to the collar stand 12, a lower and substantially rigid portion of the collar 20 is positioned between the inner and outer pieces 22 and 24 of the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′) and the pieces are connected (e.g., stitched together). The width (W1) of the lower portion of the collar 20 that is positioned between the inner and outer pieces 22 and 24 of the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″) is preferably about ⅛ inch (0.3175 cm) to ¼ inch (0.635 cm).

To attach the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″) to the shirt body 14, a top portion of the shirt body 14 is positioned between the inner and outer pieces 22 and 24 of the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″) and the pieces are stitched together. The width (W2) of the shirt portion of the collar 20 that is positioned between the inner and outer pieces of the collar stand is preferably about ⅛ inch (0.3175 cm) to ¼ inch (0.635 cm).

It should be appreciated that the width W1 should be sufficient to maintain the collar 20 in the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″) without taking up too much space in the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″). Similarly, the width W2 should be sufficient to maintain the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″) connected to the shirt body, also without taking up too much space in the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″).

With reference to FIG. 8 , the width W3 of the portion of the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″) that does not cover either a portion of the collar 20 or a portion of the shirt 14 is preferably at least 80% of the total width of the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″), at least for a substantial length of the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″). Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize and appreciate, upon reading this description, that if the portions of the collar and shirt that are within the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″) are too large, then the collar stand will lose some of its stretch and/or recovery properties. In some preferred embodiments hereof, the width W3 averages between 50% and 95% of the total width (W) of the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″). In other words, the sum of the widths W1 and W2 averages between 5% and 50% of the total width (W) of the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″). That is, preferably W1+W2 is between 5% and 50% of W along the length of the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″). For example, an exemplary collar stand has a total width of about 1¼ inches (3.175 cm.) (W), the width (W1) of the lower portion of the collar is about ¼ inch (0.635 cm), and the width (W2) of the shirt portion is also about ¼ inch (0.635 cm). In this example, the width (W3) is about ¾ inch (1.90 cm), or 60% of the total width (W) of the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″).

As noted, the inner and outer pieces 22 and 24 of the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″) are not necessarily parallel, and so the widths W1 and W2 and the width W3 may not be the same across the entire collar stand 12 (12′, 12″, 12′″).

As noted, in preferred embodiments hereof, the collar 20, or at least the lower portion of the collar 20 that is attached to the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″), is substantially rigid. In some preferred embodiments, e.g., for dress shirts and the like, the entire collar 20 is substantially rigid. The shirt body is generally not rigid, and therefore the bottom of the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″) can grow/expand larger than the top. A collar stand that is about 15 percent compacted will match the stretch of the attached shirt and may also match the stretch of a stretch shirt.

As described above, the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″) may be connected to the shirt body 14. As understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″) may be connected to different parts of the shirt body 14. In the back of the shirt, the collar stand 12 (12′, 12″) is typically connected to the shirt's yoke or a back panel of the shirt.

Embodiments hereof are described with reference to a shirt. This invention relates to garments and garment collars, and shirts are used as an example. Those of skill in the art will understand, upon reading this description, that the collar stand may be used with other garments, e.g., dresses and the like.

EXAMPLES

Some non-limiting examples are provided here:

Example 1

A collar stand is formed from an inner piece and an outer piece, where the inner is formed from a self-fabric impregnated with a glue.

Example 1.1

The collar stand of Example 1 is formed with the outer piece formed from a self-fabric impregnated with a glue.

Example 1.2

The collar stand of Examples 1 and 1.1, where the self-fabric has stretch properties.

Example 1.3

The collar stand of Examples 1, 1.1, and 1.2, where the self-fabric has mechanical stretch properties.

Example 1.4

The collar stand of Examples 1, 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3, where the self-fabric is cut on a bias thereof.

Example 1.5

The collar stand of Examples 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 where the self-fabric is selected from a shirting fabric, cotton, poly-cotton, and linen.

Example 1.6

The collar stand according to any of the preceding examples, where at least one of the inner piece and/or the outer piece is formed from a cooling fabric.

Example 1.7

The collar stand according to the preceding example 1.6, where the cooling fabric contains jade and/or jade fibers.

Example 1.8

The collar stand according to any of the preceding examples, where both the inner piece and the outer piece are formed from the self-fabric impregnated with the glue.

Example 1.9

The collar stand according to any of the preceding examples, where the inner piece and the outer piece are part of a single piece of folded fabric.

Example 1.10

The collar stand according to any of the preceding examples 1 and 1.1-1-8, where the inner piece and the outer piece are two distinct pieces of fabric.

Example 1.11

The collar stand according to any of the preceding examples, where the inner piece and the outer piece are impregnated with glue to different degrees.

Example 1.12

The collar stand according to any of the preceding examples, where the glue contains jade and/or jade fibers.

Example 1.13

The collar stand according to any of the preceding examples, where the cooling fabric comprises cooling polymers.

Example 1.14

The collar stand according to any of the preceding examples where one of the inner piece and the outer piece is formed from the self-fabric impregnated with the glue, and wherein the other of the inner piece and the outer piece is formed from a fabric fused with a fusible substrate.

Example 2

A garment formed with a collar stand according to any of the collar stand Examples 1, and 1.1 to 1.14.

Example 2.1

A garment formed according to Example 2, where the garment is a shirt or a dress.

CONCLUSION

Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).

As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of P” may include some of “P” or all of “P.” In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs” and includes the case of only one ABC.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using Z” means “using at least Z.” Unless stated explicitly by the use of the word “only,” the phrase “using Z” does not mean “using only Z.”

In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless expressly stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means “X is at least partially distinct from Y” and does not mean “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way.

It should be appreciated that the words “first” and “second” in the description and claims are used to distinguish or identify and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, the use of letter or numerical labels (such as “(a),” “(b),” and the like) are used to help distinguish and/or identify and not to show any serial or numerical limitation or ordering.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A collar stand comprising: an inner piece and an outer piece, wherein at least one of the inner piece and/or the outer piece is formed from a self-fabric impregnated with a glue, and wherein at least one of the inner piece and/or the outer piece is formed from a cooling fabric.
 2. The collar stand of claim 1, wherein the cooling fabric contains jade and/or jade fibers.
 3. The collar stand of claim 1, wherein the cooling fabric comprises cooling polymers.
 4. The collar stand of claim 1, wherein the self-fabric has stretch properties.
 5. The collar stand of claim 1, wherein the self-fabric has mechanical stretch properties.
 6. The collar stand of claim 1, wherein the self-fabric is cut on a bias thereof.
 7. The collar stand of claim 1, wherein the self-fabric is selected from a shirting fabric, cotton, poly-cotton, and linen.
 8. The collar stand of claim 1, wherein the self-fabric is a cooling fabric.
 9. The collar stand of claim 1, wherein both the inner piece and the outer piece are formed from the self-fabric impregnated with the glue.
 10. The collar stand of claim 1, wherein the inner piece and the outer piece are part of a single piece of folded fabric.
 11. The collar stand of claim 1, wherein the inner piece and the outer piece are two distinct pieces of fabric.
 12. The collar stand of claim 1, wherein the inner piece and the outer piece are impregnated with glue to different degrees.
 13. The collar stand of claim 1, wherein wherein one of the inner piece and the outer piece is formed from the self-fabric impregnated with the glue, and wherein the other of the inner piece and the outer piece is formed from a fabric fused with a fusible substrate.
 14. A collar stand comprising: an inner piece and an outer piece, wherein at least one of the inner piece and/or the outer piece is formed from a self-fabric impregnated with a glue, and wherein at least one of the inner piece and/or the outer piece is formed from a cooling fabric, wherein the cooling fabric comprises jade and/or jade fibers and/or cooling polymers, wherein the self-fabric is selected from a shirting fabric, cotton, poly-cotton, and linen.
 15. The collar stand of claim 14, wherein the self-fabric has stretch properties.
 16. The collar stand of claim 14, wherein the inner piece and the outer piece are part of a single piece of folded fabric.
 17. The collar stand of claim 14, wherein wherein at least one of the inner piece and the outer piece is formed from the self-fabric fused with a fusible substrate.
 18. A garment comprising a collar stand according to claim
 1. 19. The garment of claim 12, wherein the garment is selected from a shirt and a dress. 